Yard Goats Win Slugfest vs. Akron

Shortstop Brendan Rogers' three-run seventh-inning homer lifted the
Yard Goats to a 13-10 victory on Sunday.

HARTFORD—Brendan Rodgersrendan RodgersBrendan Rodgersndan RodgersBrendan Rogers' tBrendan Rodgershree-run home run in the seventh inning lifted the Hartford Yard Goats to a wild 13-10 win over the Akron Rubber Ducks a sellout crowd of 6,504 at Dunkin’ Donuts Park on Sunday. It was the third straight sellout home crowd for the Goats, who drew 19,805 over three weekend games with Akron. Anthony Phillips Anthony Phillips added two home runs and Sam Tidaback knocked in five runs and Sam Tidaback had three hits and three RBI, as Hartford (23-20) scored a season high in runs and tied a season-high in hits with 16.

With Sunday’s win, the Yard Goats earned a split of the four-game series against the Cleveland Indians' AA affiliate. 

Hartford relievers Logan CozartLogan Cozart Matt Pierpont Logan Cozart and Matt PierpontMatt Pierpont restored order after the Goats blew a 6-0 lead. The two combined to retire the last nine Akron batters, with Pierpont registering his league-leading 11th save and Cozart improving to 4-1.

Hartford jumped out to a 6-0 first inning lead on a sacrifice fly by Rodgers, a three-run home run by Phillips, chasing starter Ryan Castellani, who allowed five runs on only two hits, but walked five.

The Yard Goats led 8-5 after three innings on RBI-singles by Tidaback and Yonathan DazaYonathan Daza, but Akron(24-19) tied it with three runs in the fifth inning on home runs by Connor MarabellConnor Marabell and Sicnarf Loopstock. After the Rubber Ducks took a 9-8 lead in the sixth, the Goats rallied on Phillips' second home run of the game a two-run shot to make it 10-9. Akron tied it again in the seventh, setting the stage for Rodgers' three-run upper deck blast.

Every Hartford player had at least one hit, led by Phillips, who had two home runs and five RBI, with his father in attendance from his native South Africa. Tidaback, making his first start, doubled, had two singles and three RBIs, while Rodgers' had a home run and four RBI. Omar Carrizales, Sam Hilliard, Ryan Metzler and Chris Rabago each had two hits. Marabell had a home run, double, single and three RBI for Akron, while Jorma Rodriguez added three hits and two RBIs.  

The Goats are now off to Portland, ME, where they will open an eight-game, seven-day road trip in tonight. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. RHP Jesus Tinoco will get the start for Hartford against LHP Kyle Hart for Portland, the Red Sox’ AA affiliate. The game will be broadcast on AM 1410 WPOP and streamed on newsradio.1410.com and MiLB.com.

—Staff Reports